First Friday celebrates second anniversary

The Hood River Downtown Business Association and GorgeArts in association with local artists, performers and businesses celebrate the second anniversary of First Friday in Hood River on Friday.

“It’s been two wonderful years of community participation and support,” said Joanie Thomson, coordinator of the sponsoring Downtown Business Association.

On the First Friday of every month, dozens of local artists exhibit their creations at downtown Hood River businesses. Enhanced by live music and entertainment, First Friday is among the Columbia River Gorge’s top cultural events. Artists working in diverse media are on hand to showcase and sell their art, and a variety of performers entertain throughout the downtown area. Each participating business extends its hours until 8 p.m.

Check out Saturday Market on First Friday as Hood River Saturday Market vendors and musicians come together for a sneak peak. Located on Cascade Street between 5th and 6th Street, a smaller version of Saturday Market will be set up among the sights and sounds of First Friday.

A sample of artists showing this month include; Karen Watson and Merrilee Cooper at the Frame Gallery, Tarina Westlund at Brian’s Pourhouse, Kelly Phipps at Hood River Stationers, Cathe Davis at Gorge Surf Shop, Susan Tuttle at Hood River Bagel, Maren McGowan at Gorge Dog, Columbia Gorge Studios at Franz Hardware, Darryl Lloyd at Cascade Travel, Cathy Stever at Discover Bicycles, Gail Hudson McCarthy at the Visitors Information Center, Angela Lynn and Sherman Rouse at Frolik, John Schultz at At Home on Oak Street and Kimberly Hovinghoff at the International Museum of Carousel Art. The Columbia Art Gallery presents A View From Above and Beyond, opening reception at 7 p.m.

Special events include Ben Bonham and his One Man Children’s Music Show at G. Williker’s Toy Shoppe, Estate Jewelry Trunk Show at Hood River Jewelers, Scott McGregon will be doing Kids balloon art at Windermere/Glenn Taylor Real Estate and the United Way art auction, 7 p.m. at Hood River Bagel Co.

Music includes White Rhino Marimba at Promotion, Sydney Stevens on piano at Waucoma Bookstore, Charles Crosman and Nora Krevans at the Hood River Wine Bar and DJ Iban at the Hood River Hotel.

First Friday is held monthly through December. For more information contact Thomson at: downtown@gorge.net or at 308-6738.